Mechanism for feeding measured quantities of liquid



F. E. MccoRD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 29, 1932.

MECHANISM FOR FEEDING MEASURED QUANTITIES oF LIQUID Filed July 15. 1929 March 29,1932. F, E. MccoRD 1,851,927

MECHAISM FOR FEEDING MEASURED QUANTITIES OF LIQUID Filed July 15', 1929 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Mar. v29, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FREDERICK E. MCCORD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM J'. IENNEY, VOl' CHICAGO,

ILLIINoIs MEGHANISM FOR FEEDIN'G MEASUBED QUANTITIES OF LIQUID Application iled July 15,

tion is to produce a simple and novel mechanism or apparatus by means of which a measured quantity of liquid will be delivered from a tank and a similar quantity of liquid will be delivered into the tank through variations of the rate of flow of liquid in a conduit.

My invention is particularly applicable toI so-called zeolite water softeners, although its application is not limited to that particular field. `In a well known type of automatic softener a regenerating condition is brought about by opening a waste or drain pipe that will permit a more-rapid flow of the raw or hard water than durinnr service conditions; an ejector being brougnt into play to suck brine from a brine tank. Viewed in one`of its aspects, the present invention may be said to have for its object to produce a simple and novel mechanism or apparatus that is controlled solely by the liquid level in a tank andthe pressure in a stationary pipe leading 'from the tank t cause measured quantities of liquid to be withdrawn from the tank and equal quantities of water or other liquid to be delivered into the tank to replace the liquid that has been withdrawn.

A further object of the present invention is toimake it possible easily and accurately to adjust a mechanism of the character reer'red to, whereby the quantity of liquid that will be fed or delivered during any given cycle may be varied.

The various features of novelty whereby my invention is characterized will hereinafter be pointed out with particularity in the claims; but, for a full'understanding of my invention and of its objects and advantages, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figures 1 and 2 are views partly in section and partly in elevation, portions being more 'or less diagrammatic, illustratinga mechanism or apparatus arranged in accordance with a preferred-form" of my invention, the parts being shown in different positions in 1929. Serial No. 378,323.

the two views; and Fig. 3 is an end view, on

a larger scale, of what may be termed the pisi ton valve.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents a pipe through which liquid to be consumed is adapted to flow under pressure. The pipe has a servlce outlet and a waste or drain outlet.

.In the arrangement shown, the service outlet is a small pipe 2 while the waste outlet is indicated as bein merely the open end 3 of the main pipe. n ormally the waste outlet is closed or shut oi' from communication with the main portion of the pipe 1 by means of a valve 4. The elements 2, 3 and 4'have been i shown in a diagrammatic way onl in order to indicate that water maybe ischarged fromthe pipe 1 more rapidly at onev time than at another. Inwardly from the outlet 2 'and the valve 4 is an ejector device -5 into which leads, at right angles to the pipe 1, a which liquids may enter orl pipe 6 through leave the pipe 1.

The pipe 6 is connected to one end of a small casing 7 the chamber in which is preferably cylindrical. A second pipe 8 leads from the opposite end of the casing 7 and extends down into a tank 9, with its open Y lower endy a short distance above the bottom of the tank. A branch 10 from the pipe 6 enters the top of the casing 7 about midway between the ends of the latter. Similarly, a branch pipe 11 extends from the pipe 8 to the bottom of the casing at about the middle of the latter. In the pipe 10 is a valve device having an inwardly seating valve 12. Similarly, in the branch 11 is a valve device having an outwardly seating valve 13; In

adapted to engage with an annular seat 20,

in onepositionof the device, to shut oil? communlcatlon between the interlor of the casing and a port or assage 21 communicating with" l the pipe 8.

Ia rod 22 that extends through the passage o the piston device is fastened 17 and out through a stuiing box 23 to exterior of the casing. On the outer end of the rod 22 is a member 24.-. In the tank is a float 25 carried on a rod having an approximately horizontal portion 26 and an approximately vertical portion 27 that extends up through or past the member 24 and is pivotally connected, as indicated at 28, to a stationary bracket 29. `The bracket 29 may be provided with a guide 30 embracing the vertical part of the float stem or rod at a considerable distance below the pivot for the latter. The member 24 has a piece 31 lying inwardly 'from the member 27 so as to be engaged thereby when the 'leat rises; and it also has a second piece 32 lying outwardly from the member 27 and adapted to beengaged thereby when the float drops. Instead of engaging the piece 32 directly, I prefer that the ileat stem shall strike a screw 33 or the' like passing through the piece 32. The screw may be adjusted in or out, thus making it possible to bring about an engagement between the screw and the lleat stem when the float has dropped to any desired level. The

-parts are se proportioned that when the float is up the piston device is pushed toward the P left as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, shutting olf communication between the pipe 8 and the interior of the casing; whereas, when the float .has dropped, the p iston device is drawn over to the right so as to shut olf communication between the lower end of the pipe 6 and the interior of the casing.

Normally, assuming the .tank to befilled with liquid to the level ef the dotted line A. in Fig. 1, and the valve 4 to be closed as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, all of the other parts will be in the position shown in Vfull lines in Fig. 1. If no liquid is being withdrawn from the service outlet, there will be no flew 'through the ypipe 1, and there will be ne flow into the tank because the static pressure of the liquid in the system will hold the valve 13 closed, whereas direct communication between the interior ef the casing and the pipe Sis shut ofi' by the iston device. In the event that the drain va ve or gate 4 is opened, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, there will be a strong flew of liquid through the pipe 1, creating a suction in the pipe 6 and therefore in the branch p1pe11 above the valve 13. The result is that the valve 13 will be swung up into the position shown in dotted lines, and liquid will be drawn up through the lower end ofthe pipe 8, through the branch pipe 11, through the interior ef the casing, passage 17 an pi e 6 into the ejector device. where the, li ui will mingle with that flowing throng the ejector device. The liquid level 1n the tank will gradually lower until passage 17, so that no more liquid can be drawn up through this passage. The suction on the valve 12 holds' it closed and therefore no more liquid will be with rawn from the tank. This condition remains unchanged as'lon as the drain valve remains open. When t e drain valve is closed, as indicated in dotted lines in Fi 2, the suction on the pipe 6 ceases and liqui .will flow inte the same under the ressure in the main conduit, causing the va ve 12 to swin open as in-l dicated by the dotted lines in result is that liquid will flew from the main pipe 1 through the pi 6 and branch pipe 10 into the casing an from there throu h the port 21 and pipe 8 inte the tank. T e liquid level in the tank gradually rises until, when the predetermined high level indicated in Fi 1 is reached, the float will have caused the pls'ton device to be forced toward the left, interrupting communication between the 1nt'erier of'the casing and the piple more liquid will iow from t e casing inte ipe 8. The liquid can, however, flow down into the branch 11, its ressure holding the valve 13 closed, so that t e liquid cannot flow through the branch 11 and into the pipe 8. This condition remains unaltered regardless of liquid'flow through the main ipe and out of the service ipe, because the ow Will not be rapid enoug to lift the valve 13. In other werds, no more liquid will enter the tank er be withdrawn therefrom until the drain valve or gate is again opened and start again the cycle of operatiens'just described.

If the tank be the brine tank for a zeelite water softener,- it will be seen that a predetermined amount of brine will be automatically, Withdrawn from the tank whenever the drain is opened; nothing further Willoccur while the drain thereafter remains open during the washing out of the brine in the softener; and, upon the closing of the drain and the restoration of the softener te its service condition, fresh water will flow into the brine tank so aste fill it again. The amount of brine Withdrawn from the tank during each cycle ma be nicely regulated by simply adjusting t escrew 33.

It will be noted that the pipe 10, the cas- 6 and the valve 13 seating away from that.

ig. 2. The

8, se that no pipe. Furthermore, the piston device with the cooperating annular seats serves as a shut-` off valve for each of the two branches. It will be seen that the liquid is withdrawn from the tank or container 9 through `one of the branches, whereas the tank or container is refilled through the other branch.

The stopping of the flow of liquid from the tank 9 may be controlled in various ways.

For example, the valve 13 may normally bel Iheld closed by a spring 40 which is strong enough to prevent the valve from opening while the drain valve 4 is closed, even though liquid is flowing through the pipe 2. Such a spring is shown at 40. O n the other hand, if the orifice 41 in pipe 2 is made smaller than the orifice 42 in the noz'zle 43 of the ejector device, then liquids cannot escape through the pipe 2 as rapidly as they can e delivered by the ejector device, and back pressure will be set.up to hold the valve 13 closed as longl as the valve 4 is closed. When the valve 4 is opened, the liquid ma flow out of the pi e 1 more rapidly than 1t can be` delivere by the ejector device, and therefore the partial vacuum will be established, tending to lift the valve 13.

While my improved mechanism is particularly useful in systems whereinthe rate of flow of liquid under certain conditions will not exceed a predetermined maximum and, at other times will exceed that maximum, it is also useful for supplying measured quantities of liquid under other conditions. For example, if there be only one outlet from the pipe 1, instead of the two outlets 2 and 3 say, the outlet 3, then, upon openinr and closing the valve 4, the tank 9 may be refilled and emptied, at will. In other words measured quantities of liquid may be Withdrawn from the tank and the supply in the tank be replenished, as often as desired, by the mere act of opening and closing the valve 4.

It is therefore evident that the details of construction may be Widely varied and, while I have illustrated and described with particularity only a single preferred form of my invention, I do not desire to be limited to the exact structural details thus illustrated and described ,but intend to cover all forms and arrangements which come within the definitions of my invention constituting the ap- 4 pended claims.

I claim 1. In combination a conduit for fluids, a pipe connect/ed to the conduit, means associated with the conduit to create a suction in said pipe when liquid is flowing through the conduit, a liquid container, two branches leading from the pipe into the said container, oppositely seated check valves in said branches, and additional meansl controlled by the liquid level in said container `for ali ternately closing said branches.v

2. In combination, a conduit for fluids, a

pipe connected to the conduit, means associ ated with the conduit to create a. suction in said pipe when liquid is flowing through the conduit, a liquid container, two branches leading from said pipe into the container, oppositel seated check valves in said branches, shut-o valves in said branches, and means controlled by the liquid level in said container for alternately opening and closing one of the Vshut-ofi' valves and simultaneously closing and opening the other shut-off valve.

3. In combination, a conduit for conveying liquids under pressure, a pipe connected to the conduit, means in the conduit to produce a suction in said pipe when liquid is flowinfr throughy the conduit, a tank, two branches leading from the said pipe into the tank, oppositely-seated check Valves `in said branches,.a float in the tank, and means controlled by the float for closing one of saidy branches wh-en the float is up and the other branch when the float is down.

4. In combination,a conduit for conveying liquids under pressure, a pipe connected to the conduit, means in the conduitito produce is down.

5. In combination, a conduit for fluids, a pipe connected to the conduit, a liquid container, a pipe connected to the conduit and provided with two branches leading into the' container below the normal liquid level in the latter, oppositely-seated check valves in said branches, the check valve that opens toward the conduit being adapted to open under a predetermined suction, means associated with said conduit for causing a suction in said pipe when a fluid is flowing through the conduit, means for 'permittmg such a flow through the conduit to produce said predetermined suction in the said pipe, and means controlled by the liquid level in said container for closing one of said branches at a predetermined high level and for closing the other branch at a predetermined low level.

6. In combination, a conduit for fluids, a pipe connected to the conduit, means associated with the conduit to create a predetermined suction in the pipe when a fluid is flowing through the conduit at a predetermined rate, means to control the flow through the conduit so that at times fluid flows at said predetermined rate and at other times flows more slowly, a container for liquid, said pipe having two branches opening into the conpositely seated check valves in said branches, the parts being so proportioned that the check valve that seats awa from said conduit will open when subjecte Ato said predetermined suction and will otherwise remain closed, and means controlled by the liquid level in said container for closing the branch containing the last-mentioned check valve at a predef termined low level and for closing the other lo branch at a redetermined high level.

7. In combmation, a conduit for conveying liquids under pressure, a pipe connected to said conduit, means associated with the conduit to produce a suction in said pipe when liquid is flowing through the conduit, a liquid container, two branches leading from said pipe into said container, oppositely seated check valves in said branches a float in the container, valve devices 1n said 2'0 branches, and connections between said float and said valve devices to cause the valve device in that branch containing the check valve that seats away from the conduit to close when the liquid level in the container reaches 2,-, a predetermined height and to cause the other valve device to close when the liquid level in the container drops to a predetermined level.-`

8. In combination, a conduit for conveying liquids under pressure, a pipe connected to 3o said conduit, means associated with the conduit to produce a suction in said ipewhen liquid is flowing through the conduit, a liquid container, two branches leading from said pipe into said container, oppositely seated h a; check valves insaid branches, a loat in the container, valve devices in said branches, and connections between said float and said valve devices to cause the valve device in that branch containing the check valve that seats 40 away from the conduit to close when the liquid level in the container reaches a predetermined height and to cause the' other valve device to close when the liquid level in the container dro s to a predetermined level, 4.a and means for a justing aid connections to vary the level at which av least one of said valve devices closes.

y 9. In combination, a conduitfor fluids, a pipe connected to the conduit, -means associated with the conduit to create a suction in said pipe when liquid is flowing through the conduit, a liquid container, two branches leading from the pipe into the said container, automatic valves in said branches, one of said $5.3 valves preventing flow of liquid past the same. from the container to-said conduit, the other valve preventing liquid iow past the same from the conduit to the container, and means controlled by the liquid level in` said container 0 for aternately'closmg said branches.

10. In combination, a conduit for fluids, a pipe connected to the conduit, means associted with the conduit to create a suction in said pipe when liquid is flowing through the conduit, a liquid container, two branches leading from said pi into the container automatic valves in said branches, one of sai valves preventing flow of liquid past the same from t e container to said conduit, the other cheek valve preventing 1i uid flow past the same from the conduit to t e container, shutolf valves in said branches, and. means controlled by the liquid level in said container for alternately opening and closing one of the shut-olf valves and simultaneously closing and opIening the other shutoi valve.

11. n combination, a conduit for conveying liquids under pressure, a pipe connected to the conduit, means in the conduit to produce a suction in said pi e when li uid yis flowing through the con uit, a tan two branches leading from the said pipe into the tank, automatic valves in said branches, one of said valves preventing flow of liquid ast the same from the container to said con uit, the other valve preventing li uid flow past the same from the conduit to t e container, a

float in the tank, and means controlled by the float for closing one of said branches when the float is up and the other branch when the float is down.

12. lIn combination, a conduit for conveying liquids under pressure, a pipe connected to the conduit, means in the conduit to prof duce a suction in said pi e when li uid is flowing through the con uit, a. tan two branches leading from the said pipe into the tank, automatic valves in said branches, one

of said valves preventing flow of liquid (past the same from thq contamer to -said con uit, the other valve preventing liquid flow ast the same from the conduit to the contamer,

shut-off valves in said branches, a loat in the tank, and means controlled bythe float for causing one of the shut-oil valves to close and the other to o en when the float is up and for causing t e first shut-oil valve to open and the second to close when the lloat 1s down.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specification.

FREDERICK E. MGCORD.

ioo 

